Guess who?

Saturdays are for fun, so here’s a light feature for this pre-independence day, Pacquiao punching party weekend. I collect old Philippine magazines, postcards and books. Originally this was to be able to research anything and everything about Philippine cities, architecture and design. The publications I’ve amassed (and

wHICH ArE fiLLING uP My BAsEMENt) ArE ALsO a wonderful source of pictures and stories of people.

People make a city and metropolitan Manila is rich because of the stories of the people who have lived and loved in this crazy urban mess we call home. Here’s a sampling of pictures of Manilans of the past and near present. They come from different backgrounds and have excelled in different arenas of life.

Someone said ‘A city is its people.’ With Manila’s colorful people — both past and present —there’s no debate… it’s more fun in Manila.

Can you guess their identities?

1. This young lass from Cebu was discovered as a teenager. Her facility for Spanish and English gave her an advantage in show business. She was and still is famous for her acrobatic singing. Who is she?

2. When the singer from the first question became more established she hosted radio and TV shows. One of her regular guests was this singing group that named themselves after a tree. The ladies in the trio had great backstories. The funny one was of Russian descent, the second was the daughter of a famous performer in Manila’s vaudeville, the third eventually left the group and became a successful TV director. Who are they? What was the name of their group? What did the remaining two rename their group when they became a duo?

3. In 1971, two well-known athletes squared off to see who was fastest sprinter. They ran a 60-meter race. It was close. One edged the other 7.6 to 7.4 seconds. They both went back to their sports clubs and several more years of competition. Both ended their playing careers around the 1980s and then they both also ran in another type of race — political this time. The two served/or continues to serve in government. Who are these two?

4. Don’t knock this ‘70s singer’s purple suit and bell bottoms. They were the fashion in 1972. The questions: Who’s the guy with the hat and suit?

5. Who is this elegant wife of a much-loved national leader of the ‘50s ...radiating all that elegance they had back then? Where was this picture shot?

6. Who is this fellow endorsing goo for male ‘dos in the late

‘50s? Can anyone explain why many films from this golden age of Filipino movies showed successful men in their ersatz palatial homes wearing satin robes, surrounded by faux European furniture, served by maids in uniform and attended to by wives fully coiffed even at breakfast?

7. Fifty years ago this blue-suited fellow was made president of a key national institution. He had actually wanted to be president of the country but ended up the head of this “republic” instead. Who was this articulate fellow? What institution did he head a half-century ago? (He is shown mulling the institution’s master plan, which has not been improved to this day ...and is in fact in a state of degeneration from bad planning,

incremental additions, informal settlers, lack of maintenance, etc.)

8. Thirty years before Pacman and the Younghusbands, this dashing sports star was a favored endorser. Who was he? What team did he play for in college and in the MICAA?

9. In a variety show in1961 at Clark Airbase this rising Hollywood star participated gamely. He is shown here escorting a Bayanihan dancer. Who was he? (Hint: he loved driving in the fast lane.)

10. Congressman Manny Pacquiao is in Las Vegas raring to pummel Bradley to bits. Half a century ago we had a reigning world champion...a native of Bogo, Cebu. This fellow was humble and a true champion. Who was he? Where did he do his early morning training (in picture)?

***

The answers: 1) Pilita Corales, 2) The Lemons Three – Nikki Ross, Angie dela Cruz (daughter of Katy dela Cruz) and Mitos Villareal. The group became the Wing Duo after Mitos left, 3) Freddie Webb and Rosalio ‘Yoyong’ Marinez, 4) Victor Wood, 5) First Lady Luz Banson Magsaysay, 6) Pancho Magalona, 7) Carlos P. Romulo, 8) Jawo!, 9)Paul Newman, 10) Gabriel Flash Elorde.

Feedback is welcome. Please email the writer at paulo.alcazaren@gmail.com.

1) Who’s this cat-loving Cebuana lass who became a famous singer with acrobatic skills?

2) Who are these costume-coordinated singers? The one on the left is a solo singer and the three are a group named after a tree.

4) Who’s this cool ‘70s singer dude? (His name rhymes with dude.)

3) Who are these two sports heros sqauring of in a sprint (they made their marks not in track in field but in a team sport)?

5) Name this former First Lady from the ‘50s after whom a flower is named?

6) Identify this famous ‘50s and ‘60s star who played respectable men who were always well placed? (Hence, the endorsement for hair gel)

8) Who was this top endorser from the sports world in the ‘70s and ‘80s?

10) Pacquiao is great but this fellow from Bogo, Cebu was tough, too! Who was he?

7) Who is this statesman who was a champion debater in university and eventually became its president?

9) Name this Hollywood star who visited in the ‘60s?